Happy, Happy Birthday

There are not many posts on this blog that do not include my children. That is because technically, this is The Barker Four blog. However we recently went out for dinner sans kids and celebrated Uncle Ra-Ra's birthday. His birthday coincided with the weekend Meredith, Missy, & Tammy visited. Our friend Chris also joined us. Mom and Dad came to town and watched our four plus baby Reese so we were able to have a late dinner followed by birthday cake and games. It was great to catch-up with friends and family and it was even better knowing that the babies were well taken care of by the grandparents! Here are some great pics of us all enjoying the evening! (Unfortunately Tammy took the pictures so I don't have one of her!!)

Reunion

We have been one more busy family! Aunt Mimi and baby Reese finally arrived from Germany last week and we only got to catch-up for about a day before all our friends and family arrived to greet them. It was awesome to have a mini-reunion with mom, dad, sis, neice, Missy, Tammy, Robert, and Chris. The first part of the weekend we decided to enjoy the (we haven't seen this in months) warm weather. We took a long walk to the playground so the kids, and adults, could stretch their legs and enjoy some sunshine. So whereas Reese is normally used to this type of outdoor experience:

This weekend she got to shed about 2 layers and enjoy this:

Meredith and Missy also enjoyed just relaxing in the sun and catching up on what they missed about Charleston!

Conor and Jude really think they own this playground - they go about once or twice a week.

And Chapel and Eli's favorite part of the entire day was hanging with PaPa and GiGi and going to McDonald's for a happy meal. I love it when mom and dad come and take them to do "something special". Doesn't everyone have a memory where your grandparents would spoil you.... like ordering chocolate milkshakes and hot fudge sundae's just because....

Stayed tuned for weekend activities Part II which involve going out to eat and a fabulous bday cake!

Yes, It Did!

Can you believe we saw SNOW on Folly Beach? Last Friday, as we were watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, the much anticipated South Carolina snow began falling.

It was a wet snow and very cold but we went outside that night to play in it. The next morning, I was surprised to see that the snow had not really stuck on the beach. It was crazy because as we got 2 miles down the road there was snow covering homes, grass, cars. At least 3 or 4 inches. I guess here on the beach the air is just too warm for it to cover the ground.

Our house the morning after the "big" snow.

So we got in the car and drove down to Conway to visit MaMa Anne and PaPa Ed and saw some real snow all the way down during the drive and when we arrived there was enough snow to build a huge snowman. Even though we got the short end of the stick on the beach, we were able take a drive and enjoy the seldom seen South Carolina snow!

I Am No Supermom, BUT...

I give myself, and my kiddos, major props in completing this project we started- HOMEMADE VALENTINES for school. Chapel, Eli and I looked at many options for making our own special cards before deciding on flowers for Chapel's classmates and rockets for Eli's. Here are our finished projects. I must say, I LOVE THEM BOTH. It was worth all the hard work.

In My Place

Life at the beach has its advantages. Taking the kiddos down to the beach on a Monday after school is certainly the best way to end the start of the week. With all the hustle and bustle that is school, work, home - it certainly is nice to unwind at the end of the day by picking up starfish. And I LOVE the beach in winter - even the dogs could get off the leash and get their energy out. This is my place, and I love it.

Here & Now

Our post-holiday weekends have been decidedly low key. Lots of hanging around the island and enjoying long walks (weather permitting) and playing with the toys we got for Christmas. Sometimes it is hard for me to just sit and "do nothing". I have always been better at the go, go, go lifestyle. But even when we aren't doing anything special, with four kids we are still always doing something. Yesterday was one of those do-nothing-special days where we just took the kids on a long walk and ended up down at the Folly Park. But looking at these pictures makes me feel like we did something very special. Not all fun moments have to be planned or over the top. Sometimes the best times are those where you just hang out.

Eli on his bike - he rode the whole way. He likes it when we call him lightening bolt!

Chapel on her scooter. She dressed herself - how cute.

At the Folly Park.

Busy Bees

The twins had their 18 month check-up last week and here are the official stats:

Jude

Weight: 22 lbs 12 oz (10th percentile)

Height: 32 3/4 in (50th percentile)

Conor:

Weight: 23 lbs 10 oz (5oth percentile)

Height: 31 3/4 inches (50th percentile)

OMG are these two busy, and we have had a week of BIG firsts......

1. Jude climbed out the crib, which for the record, is already set on the lowest setting.

2. Conor managed to drink Dawn dishwashing detergent, forcing me to call Poison Control (something I have never had to do after 4 kids). Fortunately there is nothing too harmful in Dawn and she was fine.

Conor and Jude are wonderful, sweet, cute and fun. But they are also IN TO EVERYTHING. I tell everyone there must be security in numbers because the two of them together are fearless. They climb on everything, they put everything in their mouths, they fight - but then make up and hold hands. It is all too cute and too sweet. No matter how much work they are, they are well worth it because they manage to capture our hearts with their smiles and hugs.

And just so these babies know when they read this one day, Conor actually said, "I want ketchup" at dinner tonight and Jude's favorite thing to say is, "Ma-ma. What is that? Ma-ma. What is that?"